Electric light bulb retainer



Feb. 9 1932. H, c, vg TH 1,844,341

ELECTRIC LIGHT BULB RETAINER Original Filed Nov. 22. 192'? Patented Feb. 9, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELECTRIC LIGHT BULB RETAINER Application filed November 22, 1927, Serial No. 235,019. Renewed August 20, 1931.

This invention relates to an improved retainer for electric light bulbs, having reference to a type of retainer which is constructed for disposition between the threaded metallic shell of the ligl'it socket, and the threaded neck of the light bulb.

The primary object of the invention is to provide an improvement upon Patent No. 1,360,266 granted under date of November 30, 1920, for what is designated. as a locking device for electric light bulbs.

The present invention is based upon two outstanding improvements over the patented structure. First, the improved device embodies a flexible fabric tab, together with a spring anchoring element; secondly, the improvement includes a ring of insulation ma terial which is attached to the lowermost convolute of the spring retainer and adapted to EU bear against the lower end of the lamp socket.

Other features and advantages derived from this improved construction will become more readily apparent from the following description and claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein :7

Figure 1 is a view of the parts of the invention, disassembled showing side elevation and sectional views,

Figure 2 is an elevation and sectional view of the structure completely assembled with a portion broken away to disclose the cooperation of the spring retainer with the remain iug parts of the assembly, more accurately; and further illustrating how the depending extension on one end of the spring is placed in a hole provided therefor in the fabric ring for removing a dead bulb.

Figure 3 is a perspective View of the finger operating ring forming part of the invention.

With reference more in detail to the drawings, it will be seen that 4 indicates generally a conventional type of electric lamp or bulb socket, 5 designates a conventional type of electric bulb, while the coiled spring retaining device is design atcd by the reference character 6, and the finger actuated ring adapted to be operatively associated with the spring device is designated generally by the reference character 7.

As is illustrated, the coil spring 6 is convoluted about the threaded shell 13 of the socket member 4, the lowermost convolute of the spring extending below the lower edge of said shell as shown to advantage in Figure l. At its upper end, the uppermost convolute of the coil spring has secured thereto an an choring member 8, which member 8 is formed of any suitable di-electric material, preferably adhesive tape. The tape may have one no edge thereof folded about itself over the said uppermost convolute of the spring toprovide, as it were, a sleeve for the reception of the uppermost convolute of said spring (see F igures 1 and 2).

The bulb 5 may have its threaded base 14 threaded into the shell 13 in the usual manner and as is apparent, the lowermost convolutes of the spring will be disposed about the bulb 5 adjacent its base 14 so that obviously the threading of the bulb in the shell will exert a certain amount of pressure on the lowermost convolutc, thus bunching the convolutes upwardly about the base 14 as shown in Figure 2. At its free end, the lower- 7 most convolute of the spring 6 terminates in a longitudinally extending finger 10. Of course, certain ofthe lowermost convolutes will embrace the bulb 5 adjacent the base 14, so that the finger 10 will extend at one side of the bulb 5, as is also shown in Figure 2.

The ring 7, which will be positioned circumjacent the bulb 5, adjacent the base of the bulb, and at the lower edge of the socket 4, is provided with a small socket 11, which 85 socket 11 is adapted to receive the finger 10 as shown in Figure 2. Of course, the ring will first be placed in position at the lower end of the socket 4, prior to the threading of the bulb 5 into the shell. 13 as is apparent. Preferably the ring 7 is made of fiber or some a mropriate material, and in practice the outer surface of the ring is knurled or otherwise roughened to facilitate turning of the ring.

The operation of the device here, is substantially the same asthe operation described in the aforesaid, patent. It may be stated, however, for the sake of clarity, that the spring retainer 6 is arranged in the space between the casing 12 and the threaded shell 13 of the socket member 4 as shown in both Figures 1 and 2.

In Figure 1 as illustrated the lowermost convolutes of the spring are free for recep tion of the threaded neck 14: of the bulb. Under this arrangement, the ring 7 is dropped down over the bulb, and the bulb is placed within the socket as under ordinary conditions, the bulb being screwed into place without material interference from the spring retainer.

As the bulb 5 is being threaded into the shell 18, the lowermost convolutes of the spring 6, which will engage the bulb 5, adja centthe base let of the bulb will be literally iled one upon the other or bunched as before stated (see Figure 2), so that upon completion of the threading of the base 14; into thesliell 13, the lowermost convolutes, of'the spring will be pushed inwardlyof the socket 4, while the ring 7 disposed about the bulb will be brought into contact with the lower edge of the socket thus practically concealing the spring. v

\Vhen the parts are positionedsubstantially'as just described, the downwardly directed end portion 10 of the lowermost convolute 9 of spring 6 will be positioned within the socket 11 of said ring 7. The ring being so positioned and engaged with the springwill practically conceal the lower portion of the ,spring, and the ring also so positioned about I the bulb in contact with the lower end ofthe socket willbe so held that rotation of the ring 7 can belaccomplished only bybreaking the bulb. 4 4 7 Therefore to remove a dead bulb, it will be necessary to first break the bulb as to permit rotation of the ring. Rotation of the ring, in a proper direction will then tend to expand the convolutesof the ring previously bunched, with the result that the convolutes of the spring, formerly tightly gripping the base of the bulb adjacent the lower end of the spring will now be moved out of engagement with the base or neck of the bulb whereby the neck of the bulb will be rotated for removing the broken portion of the bulb from the lamp socket as is apparent.

Even though I have herein shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be under-stood that the same is susceptible to changes fully comprehended by the spirit of the invention as herein described, and the scope of the; appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I wish to claim as new is:

V 1. A socket mounting for an electric bulb comprising an outer casing, an inner screw threaded shell, a coilspring interposed between the shell and casing and having turns of the coil engaged with the threads of the shell, the lower convolutions of the spring extending beyond said shell, and terminating 1,844,341 I i i v in one direction to disengage the turns of the coil spring from said base.

2. As a new product of. manufacture, an electric bulb retainercomprising a coil spring adapted to be convoluted about the threaded shell of an electric lamp socket, saidspring having secured thereto at the inner end thereof an anchoring tab, said tab being composed of flexible adhesive. tape having one edge thereof folded upon itself to provide a sleeve adapted for the reception of the uppermost convolute of said spring; 7

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

I V HERMAN CHRISTIAN VOOT'H. 

